The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-07
Meeting of Colored Methoaists.


Simpson Chapel, at the corner Of Howard
and Second streets. was crowded with colored
people last night to hear DR.. W. A. Spencer, of
Philadelphia. lecture on "Providentia America"
He is a very forcible speaker God, he said, had
hidden this country for centuries, SO the people
of Europe could rot fill it with their supersti-
tions. Its discovery was act Of providence,
and was Christian discovery. Many of the
skeptics Of Europe might have made the discov-
cry, but God reserved the right for man and
nation that would plant Christianity here God
again showed his hand when the time came for
US to be patton. All classes of people were
strangely blended together in one Christian ma
ton. Providence had established thirteen differ
ent colonies. At present there thirteen
branches of the Methodist Church and God will,
in time, blend them into grand organize
ton. as ne did the colonies. There have been
many dark places in our history nation, but
providential light has always been made to shine
at the proper time Twenty-Five years ago it
seemed that the Nation must be lost, but through
Gods good providence the right won. All the
great successes Of that great war show
the hand of God AT its beginning the
cable to Europe failed to work. and for four
years no thoughts could be flashed from this
the Southern Confederacy could have been cabled
to England that country would at once have at
forded aid to the South and all would have been
lost. The failure of the cable to work could
have been nothing but the work of God. At the
close of the were bankrupt a nation,
but God opened the mountains and poured out
their treasures and the national credit was
saved.
At the close of Dr. Spencer's address he took
IN a subscription for the building fund of the
African M. E. Church. amounting to nearly $780,
The annual conference of the African NJ E.
Church of the Lexington district will convene in
the church this morning, with Bishop W. f.
Mallalieu, of New Orleans. presiding The con-
ference will be the first of the colored church
ever held in the city, and the colored people
taking much interest in it. Bishop Mallalieu
was present last night, and, besides DR.. Spen-
Ger. was ,he only white person in attendance.
He made few remarks just before
ing the colored church of the South
was never so prosperous now. but that their
great need is church edifces. Hundreds of con-
gregations have NO place at all to worship, except
in the open air. The conference district is
large one, and nearly two hundred ministers are
tlemen came in yesterday. and the remainder
are expected this morning Among the more
prominent persons here are NJ. w. Taylor of
New Orleans; G. W. L. Hammonds Covington,
KY. Joseph Courtney, L. NJ Haygood,
Cincinnati; Fl. w. White, Lexington.
Booker, Bowling Green, Ky. The conference
will convene at $50 o'clock this morning. when
the Lords supper will be administered. The
remainder of the forenoon and all the afternoon
will be occupied with the routine business of the
conference. At night Dr. r. S. Russ will preach
in behalf of the Freedman's Aid Society. The
conference will be in session the remainder of
the we elk. Saturday DR.. Stowe, of the Metho-
dist Book Concern, of Cincinnati, will be present
| and deliver an address.